Hi, I thought the use the the desert in Holy Smoke was clearly allegorical -- a trip into the desert wilderness to think over matters of the soul. This happens in the New Testament no? (not being religious is a deficit here!). Being tested in this context has implications for both characters; clearly there is also some play around devils and angels which is reflected in costume -- but in a complicated way. I liked this film very much, but I also knew as I watched it that much of the religious symbolism was lost on me. Jeannette Jeannette Sloniowski, PhD Chair, Communications Popular Culture and Film Brock University web site: http://www.BrockU.CA/cpcf/ ---- Screen-L is sponsored by the Telecommunication & Film Dept., the University of Alabama: http://www.tcf.ua.edu